The ambitious 1 300 km Lobito Atlantic Railway, linking the Port of Lobito on Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border, has secured a $753-million financing package to rehabilitate, upgrade, and operate the strategic rail corridor.
The initiative aims to strengthen regional integration, unlock access to global markets, and drive economic growth across Southern Africa.
The financing package includes $553 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and $200 million from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) acted as co-financial adviser for the transaction, helping structure a deal of significant cross-border and developmental impact.
“The signing of the financing agreements for the Lobito Atlantic Railway demonstrates the strength of AFC’s financial advisory expertise in structuring and advancing complex, cross-border infrastructure transactions of strategic significance,” said AFC president and CEO Samaila Zubairu.
He added that the project supports the broader goal of linking Angola, the DRC, and the wider Southern Africa region, reinforcing the role of integrated rail and port infrastructure in trade, industrial growth, and supply-chain resilience.
The corridor is backed by Mota-Engil, the multinational engineering and construction firm; Trafigura, a global commodities trading and logistics company; and Vecturis, a rail operator that brings technical, operational, and commercial expertise to ensure long-term success.
“The signing with DFC, the DBSA and the government of Angola marks the culmination of long-term collaboration, together with our partner, Trafigura, to advance the Lobito Corridor. This strategic agreement will expand transport capacity, reduce transit costs, and open access to the mineral-rich regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia,” said Mota-Engil deputy CEO Manuel Mota.
He noted that the project aligns with Angola’s national infrastructure and economic priorities, supporting diversification and regional connectivity.
The railway is expected to increase transport capacity tenfold, handling up to 4.6 million tonnes per year, and cut transportation costs for critical minerals by an estimated 30%, according to the AFC.
Beyond trade benefits, the corridor will generate substantial socio-economic impact, including job creation, skills development, improved safety standards, and long-term economic opportunities for communities along the route.
“The financing secured by Lobito Atlantic Railway from the DFC and the DBSA further advances the rehabilitation and operation of the line in Angola. As a shareholder of the Lobito Atlantic Railway, we see the railway as a key domestic and regional asset that will drive economic development and support the movement of critical metals to global markets,” said Trafigura CEO Richard Holtum.